Surry County sheriff to appear on 48 Hours premiere

The season’s premiere episode of the prime time news magazine program “48 Hours” will include footage and interviews with Surry County Sheriff Graham Atkinson.

The episode will air at 10 p.m. today on CBS.

Producers contacted Atkinson regarding the death of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell from Blacksburg, Virginia, whose remains were found in Surry County in January.

Other national news programs showed interest in local law enforcement’s role in the investigation, including ABC’s 20/20 and Fox’s Crime Scene, which was hosted by Gretta Van Susteren.

Those media outlets visited the scene where Lovell’s body was found along U.S. 89 in Lowgap with Atkinson and Det. James “Buck” Turner in the days following her death and the episodes aired shortly thereafter.

The national spotlight shined on the story again in July when suspects David Eisenhauer and Natalie Keepers were indicted by a Virginia grand jury.

While covering that story, 48 Hours producers popped into Surry County and revisited the crime scene.

“They wanted to see the spot where her body was dropped and talk about what went on that day, what our role is in the investigation,” Atkinson said, adding that he was also interviewed on general topics such as internet safety.

“Our part I’m sure will be very small,” in the episode, the sheriff noted.

“We had no part in the investigation other than her body was found in our county.”

Atkinson spoke well of the producers from all the programs.

“One thing I have been surprised with is how cordial these guys are. Everyone I’ve dealt with through these things have been extremely nice people.”